The Day to Remember

April 26, 1986 was the date of the worst nuclear accident in the history of the world. The effects have been long lasting...Huge areas of barren land, hundreds of abandoned buildings, and worst of all long lasting birth defects… The Belarusian virtual museum on the Chernobyl disaster was open on 26 April to mark the 30th anniversary of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station. The goal of the project is to preserve the memory about the Chernobyl catastrophe. The museum is divided into three virtual halls: the accident, the mitigation of consequences, and the revival. Visitors will have an opportunity to get familiar with a unique collection of documentary photographs. The museum will tell about various stages of the tragic event and a present-day look at the Chernobyl legacy of Belarus.Why should we remember Chernobyl disaster?

April 21st: The Queen's birthday

 

The Queen's 90th birthday is on April 21, and while this will not be the main focus of the celebrations, there will still be an opportunity to see the Queen for hardy royal-watchers.

Her Majesty will be at Windsor Castle when her birthday comes around, and Buckingham Palace has announced a series of engagements in the area on the 20th and 21st.

On April 20, the Queen will visit the Royal Mail Windsor delivery office to mark the 500th anniversary of the postal service, and will also open a new bandstand at Alexandra Gardens in Windsor.

On April 21, the Queen will unveil a plaque marking the start of a four-mile Queen's Walkway at the foot of Castle Hill in Windsor. It connects 63 points of interest in the town, commemorating the Queen's achievement in becoming our longest-reigning monarch after more than 63 years in 2015.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will then go on a walkabout to greet members of the public, but you'll need to turn up early to bag the best places. Serious royal fans may well camp out overnight.

Then in the evening the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, will light the first in a chain of 1,000 beacons across the country and worldwide that will celebrate her birthday.

She will be joined by members of the Royal family including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for a private celebration at Windsor Castle in the evening.

April Fools' Day: Origin and History

April Fools' Day, sometimes called All Fools' Day, is one of the most light-hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar. Ancient cultures, including those of the Romans and Hindus, celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. It closely follows the vernal equinox (March 20th or March 21st.) In medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the Feast of Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year. 

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Belarus Postcard Project

New day gives its smile -

Light glimpses of happiness
Keep still and enjoy

The project goal is to promote art and views of Belarus. Submit a photograph/artwork that represents the spirit of Belarus. Subjects submitted may be landscapes, portraits, abstracts, nature, etc.. Selected submissions will be matched with haiku (short Japanese poem that will be requested through submissions) and made into postcards to be distributed to the public.
All ages are allowed to participate. Submissions must be photographed or created by the person submitting the work. Submissions can be from amateurs or professionals.
All submissions must be sent electronically as an attachment (high quality jpg (JPEG) files with 300 dpi) to BelarusPostcardProject@gmail.com Photos cannot have borders, graphics or text added to them.
Entries must be submitted with the participant’s name, age, email, phone number, city of residence and location of photo.
No cash awards or prizes will be distributed. Chosen artwork will be reproduced (in limited numbers) and released as postcards for free distribution in Belarus and abroad through the mail and through individuals. The Belarus Postcard Project will not distribute postcards or guarantee any claims other than printing postcards and offering a limited supply to the public.
Deadlines
Submit art work by 14 March 2016 11:59 PM, Belarus

If you have questions, details are here 

January 16 - The Beatles Day

Beatles Day is celebrated worldwide on 16 January. Legendary group The Beatles was approved by UNESCO on this day in 2001.

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960, who became one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. From 1962 until their breakup in 1970, the group consisted of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals).

Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, the group later worked in many genres ranging from folk rock to psychedelic pop, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. The nature of their enormous popularity, which first emerged as the "Beatlemania" fad, transformed as their songwriting grew in sophistication. The group came to be perceived as the embodiment of progressive ideals, seeing their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.

The Beatles were undoubtedly the most influential band of the century. In a course of 8 years, they changed not only rock and roll, but also the face of all music forever.

This day, fans around the world are organizing many events dedicated to the legendary band.

Merry Christmas!

What is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas?

Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. Each of us should open our heart to receive once again a witness that Christ was born as the Savior of the world, that He lives, and that because of Him, we will live again.

How green are you?

Being environmentally friendly is a way of life. Take this quiz to find out what shade of green you are.

The test is here.

Do you agree on the results? Is it true about you?